3 bold predictions for the Vikings on Day 2 of the 2021 NFL Draft

Minnesota’s first pick of the day will be a defensive prospect

With the Vikings using their first selection of the 2021 draft on an offensive player, expect head coach Mike Zimmer to be pounding the table on Friday for the team to use their top pick on Day 2 on a defensive prospect.

Since the 2021 free agency period kicked off back in March, Minnesota’s top priority has been to improve their defense. The Vikings signed a total of nine free agents this year and of these nine, six make a living on the defensive side of the ball.

Some might think all of these free-agent additions to Minnesota’s defense will result in the team prioritizing more offensive prospects on Friday. As long as Zimmer is still the head coach, however, the Vikings will always be looking to add more top talent to their defense.

With a bunch of edge rushers coming off the board during the final third of the first round on Thursday, Minnesota might look to add a pass-rushing prospect first on Friday before the guys they like are no longer available.

The Vikings could also use their first selection on Day 2 on a safety or even a cornerback, yes, a cornerback. There wasn’t a single safety drafted on Thursday, so the prospects at the top of this position group like Trevor Moehrig, Richie Grant, Andre Cisco, and Jevon Holland could still be available for Minnesota to add to their roster on Friday.